Rebels have announced a full-scale offensive dubbed the ‘Damascus volcano and earthquakes of Syria’ which they hope will instigate the drive to ‘liberate’ the capital.

Qatari TV station Al Jazeera reports that two groups have claimed responsibility for the attack on the National Security building, which also injured an interior minister – the Free Syrian Army and the Islamic Brigade.

Several analysts have suggested that the serious attack on Assad’s inner circle could be the ‘beginning of the end’ for his regime.